Hidden Impact: Study Reveals How Domestic Violence Affects Long-Term Brain Health

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue affecting millions, with 1 in 3 women worldwide experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. While the immediate physical injuries are often apparent, the hidden impact of domestic violence on long-term brain health is only beginning to be understood. Recent studies shed light on the devastating neurological consequences of abuse, revealing a strong link between domestic violence, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and long-term cognitive and mental health issues.

The Alarming Connection Between Domestic Violence and Brain Injury

Victims of intimate partner violence frequently report traumatic brain injury, and until now, there has been an assumption that repeated head injuries sustained in the context of intimate partner violence are comparable to those sustained by contact sports athletes. However, research indicates that up to 92% of survivors of IPV experience concussion or strangulation that can cause brain injury, evidence-based methods of diagnosing these injuries in this vulnerable population are lacking.

Unlike sports-related concussions, brain injuries resulting from domestic violence often go unreported and untreated. An estimated 36% of domestic violence survivors sustain injuries to the head, neck, or face. Women seeking medical attention for these injuries are 7.5 times more likely to be survivors of domestic violence than women with other bodily injuries. Abusers will often hit their victims on the head to conceal bruises.

How Domestic Violence Affects the Brain

Domestic violence can inflict various types of brain injuries, each with its own set of potential consequences:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A forceful blow to the head, common in domestic violence situations, can disrupt normal brain function. Depending on the severity, a TBI can lead to a range of symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to memory problems and cognitive difficulties.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury (HIBI): Non-fatal strangulation, a terrifying tactic used by abusers, cuts off oxygen supply to the brain, resulting in HIBI. This type of injury can cause long-term neurological damage, affecting memory, learning, attention, and executive function.
Vascular and White Matter Damage: A major international brain autopsy study of women who had experienced intimate partner violence reveals substantial damage in the brain, but no evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the neurodegenerative disease recognized among contact sports athletes who sustain repeated head trauma. The study found that women who had experienced intimate partner violence had substantial vascular and white matter pathology damage in the brain. The women were also found to have substantial medical comorbidities, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

Long-Term Consequences for Brain Health

The impact of domestic violence on brain health extends far beyond the immediate injuries. Studies have revealed a strong correlation between domestic violence, TBI, and long-term cognitive and mental health issues:

Cognitive Impairment: TBIs can lead to memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and reduced thinking speed. Survivors may find it challenging to perform everyday tasks and make informed decisions.
Mental Health Disorders: Survivors of domestic abuse are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders.
Accelerated Cognitive Decline: Physical intimate partner violence may accelerate working memory performance decline.
Increased Risk of Dementia: Researchers are exploring possible connections to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

These impacts can persist throughout life, even decades after the abuse has ended. Women with IPV histories were more likely to have had traumatic brain injuries. Women who had experienced IPV also had higher rates of lifetime and ongoing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, sleep disorders and other mental health issues.

The Importance of Recognizing and Addressing Brain Injuries

The hidden nature of brain injuries in domestic violence cases poses a significant challenge. Survivors may not realize they have sustained a TBI, or they may attribute their symptoms to the emotional trauma of the abuse. This lack of awareness can prevent them from seeking the medical care and support they need.

Increased awareness and education are crucial to address this issue. Healthcare providers, domestic violence advocates, and the legal system must be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of TBI in survivors of domestic violence. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help survivors regain their cognitive and emotional well-being.

Legal Options for Survivors of Domestic Violence with Brain Injuries

If you have suffered a TBI as a result of domestic violence, a personal injury claim can be used to recover financial compensation as a result of your injuries. You may be able to bring a personal injury claim against an abusive person even if he or she is a blood relative, spouse, or someone else to whom you were very close. Through civil legal action, you could receive compensation for your past medical expenses such as emergency room bills in addition to future medical care, including follow-up appointments and psychological treatment. You may also recover compensation for past and future lost wages from time off work.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and help substantiate your claim:

Document the abusive behaviors.
Identify witnesses or provide photographs.
Call the police after being physically attacked.

Resources for Survivors

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, remember that you are not alone. Numerous resources are available to provide support and assistance:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Brain Injury Association of America: 1-800-444-6443
The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury: Provides statewide, national and international leadership to raise awareness on the emerging area of brain injury caused by domestic violence.
Barrow Neurological Institute: The Barrow Brain Injury & Sports Neurology Center created the Domestic Violence Brain Injury Program, the first of its kind in the nation, in 2012 to identify and treat women and men with traumatic brain injuries caused by domestic abuse.

Domestic violence is a serious public health issue with devastating consequences for brain health. By raising awareness, promoting early detection, and providing comprehensive support, we can help survivors heal and rebuild their lives.